I believe now that
you are misinformed as to the facts, but that is immaterial. You should
have been told of my trouble with Mr. Warren. I should have insisted
upon it. That I did not do so is my fault and I apologize; but for that
only. Good evening."
He shook himself free from the captain's grasp, bowed to the trio, and
left the room. An instant later the outer door closed behind him.
Caroline turned to her brother. "Come, Steve," she said.
"Stay right where you are!" Captain Elisha did not request now, he
commanded. "Stevie, stand still. Caroline, I want to talk to you."
The girl hesitated. She had never been spoken to in that tone before.
Her pride had been already deeply wounded by what she had learned that
afternoon; she was fiercely resentful, angry, and rebellious. She was
sure she never hated anyone as she did this man who ordered her to stay
and listen to him. But--she stayed.
"Caroline," said Captain Elisha, after a moment of silence, "I presume
likely--of course I don't know for sartin, but I presume likely it's
Mrs. Dunn and that son of hers who've told you what you think you know."
"It doesn't concern you who told us!" blustered Stephen, pushing
forward. He might have been a fly buzzing on the wall for all the
attention his uncle paid him.
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